OLYMPIC LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Brethren Christian Rolls Past Valley Christian

Brethren Christian kept a firm hold on first place in the Olympic League by defeating Valley Christian, 65-48, at Valley Christian in Cerritos.

The Warriors and Crusaders have been rivals for more than 20 years, with Brethren Christian (17-2, 8-0 in league) winning nine of the last 10 games.

Brethren Christian held a 14-4 lead going into the second quarter, and although the Crusaders (6-10, 3-5) came back to tie twice in the period, Valley Christian was never ahead in the game.

“Their press was affecting us in the second quarter,” said Warrior Coach Richard Thomas, referring to the Crusaders’ 21-point spree. “But in the third (quarter), we changed the way we were breaking it. . . . When we started breaking their press, the game really changed.”

Led by forward Chiron Hart’s game-high 20 points, Brethren Christian dominated the second half, while Valley Christian could only score in fits and starts. The Crusaders were held scoreless for almost three minutes in the third quarter, while the Warriors went on a nine-point run.

By this time, Valley Christian was trying to double- and triple-team Brethren Christian. Taking a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, the Warriors held the Crusaders scoreless for 2 1/2 minutes to go ahead by 19.

Both Valley Christian Coach Harold DeBie and player Dan Hibma received technical fouls, and Hibma fouled out with five minutes left in the game.

In another league game:

Ontario Christian 58, Whittier Christian 52--Mark Berokoff led Whittier Christian (10-9, 4-4) with 23 points. Eric DeGroot scored 17 to lead Ontario Christian (6-9, 3-5).